Lexus mostly hits the mark

Steven Cole Smith, Orlando Sentinel Automotive Editor

Lexus introduced the IS 300 sedan for 2001, taking direct aim at the perennial leader of the entry-level luxury import segment, the BMW 3-Series, and coming pretty close to the bull's-eye. The IS sedan remains an appealing alternative to the BMW, but has yet to knock the German off the throne: In the first nine months of 2009, BMW sold 67,220 copies of the 3-Series in the U.S., while Lexus sold 27,911 of its IS model.

For 2010, Lexus adds another model to the IS lineup: The IS 250C and IS 350C, both retractable-hardtop convertibles that really differ only in the size of the engines. The IS 250C has a 2.5-liter, 204-horsepower V-6, and the IS 350C has a 3.5-liter, 306-horsepower V-6. This time, the target is the BMW 328 and 335 convertibles, as well as the Inifiniti G37, and perhaps the Audi A5.

And again, in most respects, Lexus hits pretty close to the bull's-eye.

The vehicle tested was the IS 250C. There are advantages to the relatively small, low-powered engine, but sportiness is not one: Mated to the six-speed automatic transmission – a manual is available with this engine, but the IS 350C comes only with the automatic – Lexus claims it will go from 0 to 60 mph in 8.4 seconds. Car and Driver magazine recently tested a Toyota Sienna minivan – it went from 0 to 60 mph in 7.4 seconds.

So what's the good part about the little engine? Fuel mileage. With the automatic, the IS 250C is EPA-rated at 21 mpg city driving, 29 mpg on the highway, and I did even better than that. Unfortunately, Lexus says it prefers 91 octane premium gas.

As for the rest of the car, styling is handsome but hardly dramatic. The power aluminum top works flawlessly at the touch of a button, stowing itself in the trunk. As usual with retractable hardtops, that takes up most of the trunk, reducing luggage space from 10.8 cubic feet to 2.4 with the top stowed.

Inside, the front seats were quite comfortable, but I was wishing for some sort of height adjustment for the seat belts. Rear seats are kid-sized, but that's true with the competition, too. Instruments and controls and attractive and functional, but the navigation system Lexus uses isn't my favorite. It was packaged with a rear-view camera and XM satellite radio for $2,340 – with aftermarket navigation systems getting better and cheaper all the time, you wonder how much longer the manufacturers can keep charging premium prices for these nav systems. The only other option in the test car was heated and cooled front seats for $1,040.

The IS 250C rode smoothly, with no trace of body shake with the top up or town. Handling is crisp, but with more body roll than a BMW. Performance packages are available as options.

At a base price of $39,660, and an as-tested price of $43,915, Lexus is in the competition's ballpark. With no options, the price would be a shade more than $40,000 with shipping, and that's a very good buy for a car that is fun to drive – not BMW fun, but fun nonetheless – and should hold its value quite well.